3 Possible Adlers And 1 Singer

[tomstas]

sorry ,

could you tell me which type of pfaffs are good for car upholstery? I've found a Pfaff type 5483-814. there is not much info on but it's in the neighbourhood Looks nice and not used that often

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

You can get single phase-to-three phase converters, reasonably priced, and they are programmable with many options. I have one running a 1 hp, 3 phase, motor on my Singer 153 from a 220VAC single phase outlet. You can get them for virtually any hp motor. Here is a link to the one I am using: http://www.automatio...0_VAC)/GS1-21P0. It's another option and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about setting one up.

Regards,

Gerry

Automation direct is one of my secret weapons; they have great products, services, and ship fast. I've spent $,1,000s of dollars with them over the past few years.

[Constabulary]

Well, I´m not the big expert but I know the Singer 111W, Pfaff 145 and Adler 167, Consew 225 are about the same class and they even look very similar. I think the Adler 267 reduced to what you can do with it, is almost the same as the 167 but has a more modern appearance and a built in bobbin winder. Go through the posts in the sewing machine section here in the forum and I´m sure you will find these brands and classes over and over again.These are surly not the most up to date models abut they are all very reliable and they will last for decades!

You should probably reduce it to the basics - for example an Adler 167 (or similar model) for 500€ compared with a 267 (or higher class) for 1500€ and up. What are MY advantages on the 267 and is it worth to spend 1000€ more. They both sew with walking foot, have an adjustable stitch length, maybe the 267 has a slightly higher foot lift (if at all) and it has a built in bobbin winder and looks more modern --- but is that worth 1000€ more?

How long do you have to work for 1000€? Your Bank gives you a 1000€ loan w/o problems but you have to pay it back (+ fees on top) with what you are producing with the machine or you have to sell a lot of extra newspapers.

You will probably find out that you will need more than just one machine depending on the work you have to do. So you can spend the saved money on a 2nd or even 3rd machine or other tools you may need in your business.

I think my Singer is a good example for that, it was cheap, after restoring it looks awesome (from my point of view) and works perfect. Why the hell should I buy a 1500€ machine? Only because it looks modern and has a built in bobbin winder?

And on top of that, when you are doing Oldtimer upholstery, wouldn´t it be cool to work on some nice old machines? Think of an upholstery shop with a couple of old but nice looking and perfect working sewing machines. I mean the really old ones... Old cars - old sewing machines... I love the idea.

Just my 2 cents.... Others may have different opinions.

Edited September 27, 2013 by Constabulary

[tnawrot2]

Just a suggestion, I would ask your instructor about different sewing machines for upholstery. There are many forums that talk about car upholstery, from which you can get more information

https://www.google.com/search?q=caar+upholstery+forum&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[tomstas]

I'm an oldschool type of guy myself, i would love to have old machines to work with.

I like the 50's and 60's and 70's , I have an 70 olds cutlass and love it and i listen to rock&roll more then the modern cr@p on the radio.

I don't care about new expensive stuff, I just want good (if posible good) stuff.

I currently looking at someone's add on the web. He seems to be a retired leather craftsman who sells everthing he's got. He has 3 o

r 4 sewing machines for under 500€ /piece.

He lives only about 10 miles from here so i'll try and talk to him today.

i've learned quite a bit today thanks to all you guys

cheers

[Constabulary]

seems we are on the same track

[tomstas]

Went to see my grandfathers sewingmachine. This was really an old machine . It was a singer from over 50 years ago. he paid it around 17000 BEF back then.

This is about 425€ . WOw life was already expensive back then.

I think It's a Singer 29 leather boot patcher. Can't find type on it, it was getting dark and it was stored in a corner in his shed and covert in dust & spiderwebs;

I told him i would fix her up some day and try to sell it for him because it was not what I hoped it was .

Yesterday I got a call for the person whom I contacted through the internet . He told me that he had 3 machines still for sale , one A them would be ideal for me ( others are more for shoe patching as well) and he has also a lot of leather he wants to sell. I don't know if these are leftovers are useable big pieces.

Anyway he want's 500€ for the machine, let's hope i can make a good deal for the leathers as well; Gonna check it out this saterday and will take some pictures of his collection. I'm not gonna buy right away, i got some other machines I first want to look at.

[tomstas]

hi guys, just a brief update.

i found a local girl who has a pfaff 138-6 for sale; It misses a belt for the motor but otherwise looks very complete; it's got a lot of extra parts and orignal manual.

She doesn't seem to know anything about it. So if it runs tomorrow i'll think i'll buy it. She was happy to sell it to me for 80 €;

I think this is a good deal , what do you guys think. I think about cleaning and put oil in myself. I just hope that the belt is the only missing thing. she claims it works without a problem

here are some pics

[Constabulary]

80€ is a very good price. This also was my 1st machine but I quickly learned it is not "strong" enough for me. The Pfaff 138 is a very good machine but has its limits, it is not made for sewing heavier materials. Its a Tailor machine for sewing garments and not really made for car upholstery but it is a good machine to start with / to learn with. It may have its problems with thick upholstery threads too. You can sew a few layers of soft garment leather but thats it. And as it is foot operated you will have problems with the torque when sewing thick materials real slow. You should add a Servomotor. Or has it a motor - but I can´t see one. The thick leather lace is the drive belt so it is not missing. In case you will sell it again you should be able to get 250€ for it. I would buy it for 80€ no matter if it works for you or not. I´m sure this will not be your last machine especially when it comes to car upholstery.

[tomstas]

hi constabulary

I was just looking for some more info on the pfaff. i'm currently looking on the blogspot "ucansew2.blogspot.be" . This guy tells almost the same as you do.

Not reaaly good for upholstery but overall a very good machine. I still have trouble to identify a real triple feed machine from others. I guess I have some serious reading to do. continue my search tomorrow but will buy the pfaff anyway I think. I think it's worth more as you mentioned but it seems hard to find buyers.

I currently don't have the space to store multople machines; Dilemma coming up..;

I